From the past few decades, the Information Technology sector has evolved at an enormous rate. This leads to more work efficiency and accuracy, reducing the workload. Technology is implemented in almost every sector to reduce labour cost and increase the productivity of the work. 

In Modern Farming, farmers use advanced farming equipment to ensure the high productivity and best quality of yield. They also make use of various other farming tools to monitor their crop to get the best possible yield, GPS is one of them. This is the  most vital and versatile tool in modern farming. It allows farmers to navigate to the specific location in the field accurately. It is used to collect soil samples or monitor crop production. 

Today, we know about the GPS with its usage in Farming and its importance for farmers. So let’s begin, 

What is the Global Positioning System (GPS)?

GPS stands for Global Positioning System. In modern farming, tractors are equipped with advanced GPS guidance systems that help in more professional and efficient work. Farmers use this kind of hi-tech system to enhance farmers’ working arena, making their lives convenient. There are various kinds of GPS receiver systems available in the Indian market that justify your farming needs as per your budget. 

How is GPS used in Modern Farming?

GPS allows farmers to navigate to specific locations in the field accurately. The Location information collected by GPS receivers is used to map farm boundaries and irrigation systems to determine the specific problem area where weed and other diseases are developed. 

How GPS is an Essential part of Precision Agriculture:

These advanced devices are used in Precision Agriculture to allow businesses to be more profitable, efficient, safer and more environmentally friendly. 

In precision farming, GPS is used for field planning and mapping, soil sampling, tractor guidance and variable rate applications. GPS allows farmers to do work during low visibility conditions such as rain, dust, fog and darkness.  

Type of GPS device for Indian Farmer:

Basically, there are two major types of GPS systems available in the market for Indian farmers. For different use cases, different GPS systems are used. So let’s talk about them, 

External GPS Tracker: 

  • Absolute Accuracy: 2 – 20 meters
  • Pass-2-pass accuracy: 50 cm to 2 meters
  • Popular models: Garmin GLO, Quartz 818

You can measure the field area more accurately, but this will not be used for the exact calculations or precise position on the map because of low absolute accuracy. Other use cases involve spraying operation with the large implements. This is quite cheap but can’t be worked at night and fog.

Smart Antenna:

  • Absolute Accuracy: 1.5 meters
  • Pass-2-pass accuracy: 20 cm – 50 cm 

These receivers deliver relatively high accuracy of 20 – 50 cm, which will enable them to perform operations and measurements with higher precision. This type of GPS device is generally used for measurement of farm boundaries. This can be used for parallel driving, comfortable to work on spraying operation. It allows you to work at night and fog. 

I hope this blog is knowledgeable enough for you. For more information about Farming Equipment’s and Mahindra Tractor models, you can visit us.